Charge-separator for fixed ammunition.



C. L. WRIGHT.

CHARGE SEPARATOR FOR FIXED AMMUNITION.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4.1915.

1,151,643. Patented Aug. 31, 1915.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFTQEE.

CARTER L. WRIGHT, OF BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO BETHLEHEM STEEL COMPANY, OF SOUTH BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

CHARGE-SEPARATOR FOR FIXED AMMUNITION.

Application filed. June 4, 1915.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CARTER L. WVRIGHT, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Bethlehem, county of Northampton, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Charge-Separators for Fixed Ammunition, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved separator adapted either to separate different kinds of explosives in a cartridge case or to prevent relative movement of the particles of explosive when only one kind is used.

The obj cct of the invention is to provide a separator which is rigid in construction and embodies a minimum amount of material, and, therefore, introduces a minimum amount of foreign matter into the case.

The invention will be more particularly described in connection with the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a side view, partly in section and partly broken away, of a cartridge case and projectile; Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows the three parts of the separator before being assembled; and Fig. 4 illustrates the manner of assembling these parts.

Referring to the drawing 10 indicates a cartridge case and 11 a projectile secured in the open end of the case, in the usual manner.

The present invention is used in connection with the larger sizes of cartridges, such as are used in rapid fire guns. As usually constructed a certain amount of explosive is placed in the closed end of the case, surrounding the primer and upon this is placed a ward or diaphragm 12. The separator A extends from wad 12 to the base 13 of the projectile and it is preferably constructed of three rectangular pieces of cardboard or equivalent material as illustrated in Figs. 3 and A. The section 14. has two slits 14* in one end and extending throughout half its length, the slits being at the sides of the section and parallel with its edges. The sec tion 15 has similar slits 15* at its other end. The sections 1 1 and 15 are identical in structure, but used in reverse positions when assembled. The section 16 has a slit 16 at one end extending parallel to and near one side of the section and a similar slit 16 at the other end and extending parallel to Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 31, 1915.

Serial No. 32,154.

and near the other side. The three sections of the separator are assembled as illustrated in Fig. 1 the uncut end of each of the sec tions 14 and 15 being within a slit of the other section and respectively within the slits 16 and 16". This forms a triangular structure which is strong and rigid in proportion to the amount of material used and, as shown in Fig. 2, it substantially divides the forward portion of the cartridge case into several compartments which may be used for different kinds of explosive material or in which the same kind of explosive material may be placed, the separator preventing shifting of the charge and attrition between the particles.

The separator A is preferably made as large as will permit of its being inserted through the smaller open end of the cartridge case and long enough to extend from the base of the projectile to the wad 12. The slits are made narrow so that the sections will fit in them rather tightly and the article as a whole can be readily handled without danger of the sections separating.

By the use of the triangular or three-piece separator I obtain a maximum of strength with a minimum of material and reduce the weight of inert or non-explosive material in the cartridge to a minimum and also the amount of smoke produced, which is desirable when using smokeless powder.

Having thus described my invention what- I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A separator for use in a cartridge case comprising three sections interlocked near their edges and forming a structure which is triangular in cross section.

2. A separator for use in a cartridge case comprising three rectangular sections of cardboard provided with longitudinal slits and interlocked, substantially as described.

3. A separator for use in a cartridge case comprising a section having parallel slits extending inward from one end thereof, a 'section having parallel slits extending inward from the other end thereof, and a section having a slit extending inward from each end thereof, said sections being assembled to form a rigid triangular structure, substantially as described.

4. The combination with a cartridge case and projectile, of a separator for powder comprising a triangular cardboard structure arranged within a cartridge case at the rear of the projectile.

5.. The combination with a cartridge case and a projectile secured in the open end thereof, of a separator for powder comprising a triangular cardboard structure arranged within the cartridge case in the rear of the projectile, and a transverse partition 10 or wad within the cartridge case in the rear of said separator.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

CARTER L. WRIGHT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. G. 

